The launch of Clinique’s Fresh Pressed™ System has to be among my most exciting product trials this year. Impossible to miss, this genius concept became an overnight favorite of beauty editors and industry experts alike. Slightly late to the game, I finally committed to the seven day task with the hope of retexturizing and de-aging my skin in time for summer. The results? Of extreme makeover proportions.

Vitamin C is vital to our wellbeing. It also happens to be a fantastic topical solution that will brighten dull skin tone, add radiance, and help blur out any sun spots or stubborn hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, it is one of the trickiest compounds to keep stable to ensure its proper powerhouse performance. With no shortage of debate on that varying forms of Vitamin C and their efficacy in skincare, save yourself the head spinning and try Clinique Fresh Pressed™ first.

Fresh is best

As with absolutely anything (think juice or even air) fresh is always better. Ascorbic Acid, the most common form of Vitamin C used in skincare, however, degrades after being exposed to oxygen. So it requires airtight packaging. Clinique’s new system delivers a monodose application, which ensures a fresh shot of potent anti-aging benefits with every use.

2-Step

From the makers of the world’s most popular 3-step system, this latest duo splits its time between AM and PM to achieve optimal brightening results. A perfect start to your morning, the Renewing Powder Cleanser revives the skin with pure Vitamin C while prepping it for treatment. It generates a soft foam after being mixed with water, which deep cleans without stripping. An added benefit is that it never leaves your complexion feeling tight. Wear sunscreen during the day as this active can make you more susceptible to sunburn, which technically reverses the good you’re doing.

Before bed, shake the Daily Booster vial for 15 seconds and click the dispensing button once. Combine the Pure Vitamin C 10% concentration with your overnight moisturizer and apply to cleansed skin. You may initially experience a slight grit to the serum like consistency but it melts away as you mix it with your moisturizer; it glides on and absorbs very well. Elevating the power of any face cream, it works great with lighter lotion like textures as well. My blend of choice is with the Smart-Night Custom Repair formula. If your skin type gravitates towards the dry end of the spectrum, you can also seal your evening routine with an oil.

#BrightBart

Personally speaking, after seven days, the difference in overall radiance and tone to my skin was seriously impressive. Completely unscented, both steps fit seamlessly into any existing routine and make for a great boot camp for your skin. I am inspired to do a Fresh Pressed Vitamin C blast for a week every other month. Maintenance is key.

My rule of thumb is to do Vitamin C during the day and Retinol anything at night. I do have some Vit C formulas that are suitable for night only (moss skincare, DCL, Beauty Rx) and I use them in place of Retinol on certain nights. Hope this helps!